IWS Makes Memorial Day Possible for Zuma Beach in Malibu, CA

LOCATION: Malibu, CADESCRIPTION: IWS was awarded a construction contract under the direction of Los Angeles County to install an onsite wastewater treatment system at the Zuma Beach complex in Malibu, CA to be completed before the critical Memorial Day weekend kick-off to the summer beach season.

IWS completed the work in a safe and professional manner and was able to mobilize the manpower and project resources to meet our difficult time schedule

IWS drainfield installation at Zuma Beach

IWS shoring and dewatering of excavation to install tanks

IWS installing forms for concrete covers on tanks

Challenging ScheduleIWS was awarded a construction contract under the direction of Los Angeles County to install an onsite wastewater treatment system at the Zuma Beach complex in Malibu, CA to be completed before the critical Memorial Day weekend kick-off to the summer beach season. IWS had 60 days from the execution of the contract to construct and start-up the system.

A Team Effort

IWS worked closely with the prime contractor, SBS Corporation, and their Project Manager, Robert (RJ) Stump, to coordinate field activities and manage the various deliverables required to mobilize to the field. Steve Braband of Biosolutions, Inc. (Agoura Hills, CA) provided equipment and technical support as well as ongoing operation and maintenance services. The system was designed by Los Angeles County Dept. of Public Works and inspected by LA County.

Construction Scope

Three of the County restroom facilities, operated by Beaches & Harbors, were previously designed with septic tanks and leach fields, with no secondary treatment or disinfection. IWS’s scope of work included securing each of the three locations with safety fencing, removing the exiting primary treatment tanks, and installing an Advanced Onsite Treatment System at each location. The following includes the project totals provided (all three facilities):
• Three 15,000 gallon septic tanks
• Three 10,000 gallon recirculation tanks
• One 8,000 gallon grease interceptor
• Six Orenco Advantex AX-100 Packed Bed Filters
• Three leach fields
• Relocation of the parking lot entrances to allow for construction
of new leach fields
• Electronic control and remote monitoring system
• Three UV disinfection units
• System testing and start-up

Construction/Site Challenges

IWS was required to restrict access to each of the facilities during the course of the project and worked with LA County and the City of Malibu to secure the site and communicate the status of the project to the public. The beach remained open during the course of the construction effort and IWS maintained public access to the beach areas and managed all the vehicle traffic coming into and out of the site during the construction.

Critical Schedule

To complete the project in the limited time allowed, IWS mobilized the project resources so that work could proceed at all three sites in parallel. The success of the project required rigorous scheduling to complete construction by the mandated completion date – Memorial Day Weekend, 2008. Alex Villarama, P.E. the LA County Project Engineer said, “IWS completed the work in a safe and professional manner and was able to mobilize the manpower and project resources to meet our difficult time schedule”.